Kitchen to Kitchen: Scania UK donates 600 freshly cooked meals to Milton Keynes most vulnerable young people

• Working with the YMCA Milton Keynes, Scania UK’s restaurant team produces 600 freshly cooked meals in February
• With a bespoke menu using only fresh, locally sourced ingredients, 30 vulnerable residents enjoyed a hot meal each day from Monday to Friday
• Each of these young people either experienced or were at risk of homelessness and the YMCA gives them stability and a safe environment to develop
• The focus is to help and encourage them to live independently in the future

Milton Keynes, UK, 28 February 2022: Scania UK has donated 600 freshly cooked meals to some of the most vulnerable young people in Milton Keynes.

Working with the YMCA Milton Keynes, the catering team based at Scania UK’s Support Centre prepared 30 meals per day, from Monday to Friday, during February. The ambition was to deliver a hot, nutritious evening meal for each resident staying at the charity’s supported living accommodation.

James Armstrong, Managing Director for Scania UK, said: “Community is at the heart of Scania and we’re proud to call Milton Keynes our home.

“It is important we give our support and help where we can. Our restaurant team has done brilliantly to make sure some of the most vulnerable young people in our local community have a healthy hot meal to enjoy each night.”

A dedicated and diverse menu was developed by Scania UK’s restaurant team focusing on delivering nutritious and substantial meals to nourish the young people at the end of the day.

Using only fresh, high-quality, locally sourced ingredients, the kitchen cooked the charity’s meals alongside the restaurant’s menu each day. The homecooked meals ranged from British favourites such as pies and casseroles to International cuisine, including tagines, curries and stroganoffs.

The food was collected and delivered to YMCA’s HomeGround café located in central Milton Keynes by volunteers working on behalf of the charity, including local taxi company Skyline.

YMCA’s own team divided the food into 30 individually packaged portions, which its supported living residents would enjoy in the evening.

Anne Rhind, Director of Development at the YMCA MK, said: “It has been a huge help in allowing us to focus more of our attention on better supporting our residents with other aspects of their lives.

“During mealtimes we can interact with our young people in a more informal setting around the table. Food is always a good conversation starter, and it brings people together. We are incredibly thankful to Scania UK for generously supporting our residents by providing evening meals.”

Each meal has fed the YMCA MK’s most vulnerable residents. These young people have experienced or been at risk of homelessness and require stability and support in a safe environment.

Through the supported living programme, all 30 residents have 24-hour support, and are

enrolled in the YMCA’s Independent Living Skills Programme. Residents gain practical day-to-day skills to help them live independently, including learning about nutrition, personal hygiene and budgeting.